BarkingDogs.net

This three minute speech was written by Ralph Adams of Edmonds, Washington (USA)
(ralphadams38@hotmail.com)

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Adams' Appeal to Reason - A Three Minute Presentation

As the population density here increases, we are seeing an epidemic increase in the number of dogs who bark continually, shattering the peaceful ambience of our community. Noisy or aggressive pets endanger our lives and make us prisoners in our own homes, diminishing our quality of life, our health and the value of our property.

Our city government, whose charge it is to protect us, adds insult to injury by forcing the victim into a confrontational situation with neighbors who have already shown disregard for those around them and irresponsibility in providing proper care of their pets.

Under our current system, the victim must attempt to coax a remedy from the offender. This approach seldom works as most owners resent being told that their pet is a problem - especially by a neighbor who has no authority and is often unfairly seen as an intolerant animal hater.

If the problem continues, as it usually does, the victim's only available recourse is to assemble a "posse" of three neighbors from separate households who are willing to sign a petition of complaint and agree to appear at a hearing where they must confront their tormentor. Most people choose to suffer silently rather than engage in such a conflict. Consequently, dog owners tend not to address barking problems because there is no penalty of any consequence for not doing it.

Unabated barking is a public health hazard. Elevated blood pressure, heart disease, headaches, mental and physical stress and psychological disorders are only a few if the debilitating impacts that can result when owners refuse to take responsibility for their pets.

Irritation usually breeds resentment. Incidents involving vandalism, violence, mayhem and even homicide, exacerbated by a barking or vicious dog occur daily in this country and around the world.

Local government needs to focus on adopting some enforceable laws and some aggressive anti-barking enforcement policies that are not dependent upon victim complaints to drive the process forward.

Additionally, a program should be created that insures responsible pet ownership. Classes should be offered to educate existing and prospective pet owners. Irresponsible pet ownership has a dangerous impact on the community just as irresponsible driving does.

Each year, nearly five million people or two percent of the population (mostly children) are dog bite victims. We would never think of allowing people to drive without being trained or licensed. Why do we not require that people be trained and licensed before assuming ownership of a potentially dangerous animal?

An education based animal control program will not only make people safer; it will dramatically reduce animal abuse and the unacceptable number of animals that must be euthanized.

One should never have to debate with the owner of a noisy dog about whether or not the animal can be bark trained or whether that person has an obligation to keep his dog's barking in check. Local government should go over all that with the dog owner before a license is ever issued.

We are rightfully proud of our community. Let's not let it go to the dogs.

In light of the fact that chronic noise has been declared a health hazard by both the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Health Agency, I hereby request that the council refer the public safety committee to barkingdogs.net, where they can begin to learn what they will need to know if we are to effectively address the barking epidemic. Also, I would like to meet with the committee as soon as possible to discuss the changes that will need to be made to our animal control system.

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